UEFA today announced that an agreement has been reached with Heineken Breweries (owners of Amstel) to continue as an official sponsor partner for the UEFA Champions League for the next three seasons (2003-2006).

Amstel, Europe’s second largest beer brand, has been a sponsor of the UEFA Champions League since 1994 and over the past nine seasons the competition has been a cornerstone of its marketing strategy in supporting the Amstel brand. The extension to 2006 continues the successful partnership with the world’s premier club competition.

The announcement confirms Amstel will continue as one of four official sponsor partners in the unique UEFA Champions League sponsorship concept which has proven to be a great success since its introduction in 2000.

Commenting on the announcement, Gerhard Aigner, Chief Executive of UEFA, said: ‘The continuing partnership with Amstel for the next three seasons of the UEFA Champions League combines the excitement and success of the competition with the ‘friendship, fun and freedom’ values of this major international brand. The renewed support and contribution of Amstel towards European football, particularly as we enter an exciting time with a new competition format, is highly valued.’

Gary den Hertog, Deputy Director Corporate Marketing Heineken N.V, added: ‘The UEFA Champions League provides us with an ideal platform to leverage the Amstel brand and its core association with football and its fans. For years we have identified ourselves with the fans who consider football as the sport that connects people, inspires them and gives them great pleasure. We want to share these unique emotions with the fans.’

For further information please contact:

UEFA Media Services
T: +41 22 99 44 55 9